Lactantius

Footnotes

^[1320] [Our author never wearies of this reference to Ovid’s beautiful verses. Compare Cowper (Task, book v.) as follows:—

“Brutes graze the mountain-top with faces prone

And eyes intent upon the scanty herb

It yields them; or, recumbent on its brow,

Ruminate heedless of the scene outspread

Beneath, beyond, and stretching far away

From inland regions to the distant main.

Not so the mind that has been touched from heaven.

. . . She often holds,

With those fair ministers of light to man

That nightly fill the skies with silent pomp,

Sweet conference,” etc.]

^[1321] Sequela.

^[1322] Quadrupes.

^[1323] Ex Deo.

^[1324] [Justitiam sequi. I have substituted righteousness for the translator’s justice here (see c. 25, p. 126, supra). Coleridge remarks on the weakness of the latter word. It may be, our author is quoting St. Paul (1 Tim. vi. 11 and 2 Tim. ii.), sectare justitiam, “follow after righteousness.”]

^[1325] Exponit.

^[1326] Enervatus exstinguitur.

^[1327] In terram dejecerit.

^[1328] i.e., “in discomfort,” liable to the evils of this life.

^[1329] i.e., in comfort and luxury. On the whole passage see John xii. 25: “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal.”

^[1330] Afficiet. Others read “afficit.”

^[1331] Calculi, called also “latrunculi.” There were two sets, the one white, the other red or black.

^[1332] The chariot-drivers in the contests of the circus were distinguished by different colours. Originally there were but two factions or parties, the white and the red; afterwards they were increased to four, the green and the azure being added. Domitian increased the number to six, but this was not in accordance with the usual practise.

^[1333] Gratia. Thus Pliny, “Tanta gratia, tanta auctoritas in unâ vilissimâ tunicâ.” Cf. Juv., Sat., xi. 195. Gibbon thus describes the scene: “The spectators remained in eager attention, their eyes fixed on the charioteers, their minds agitated with hope and fear for the success of the colour which they favoured.”

^[1334] Tenuis.

^[1335] Illustris.

^[1336] Princeps.

Chap. VI.—Why the World and Man Were Created. How Unprofitable is the Worship of False Gods.

^[1337] Circumscriptione.

^[1338] Revolvantur. Others read “resolvantur.”

Chap. VII.—Of the Variety of Philosophers, and Their Truth.

^[1339] [See Clement, sparsim, and notably (cap. 5 of Stromata) vol. ii. p. 305, this series.]

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